CHS Esports already boasts a champion

By Jameson Thompson

At the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, Clinton High School (CHS) added an Esports team to its long list of various activities and sports offered at the school. Esports, a type of competition via video games, includes multiple genres, such as sports, racing, fighting, and many more.

The idea of an Esports program at CHS was proposed by two teachers, Adam Chance and Matthew Hines, who now coach the school’s team.

“I had been trying to get Esports off the ground since my job interview, but things came all together this year,” said Chance. “There were several hurdles to overcome, but, thanks to the school and the CTE [Career and Technical Education] department, we were able to get together the funds and the spacing.”

Since Esports is a relatively new concept, people may not understand the benefits of participating in it. While some people may see it as an excuse to play video games at school, Esports can provide opportunities to earn scholarships for students who are looking to play video games at a very high level.

“We have been in the process of developing a booster club,” said Hines. “We are very much in need of one because of the financial possibilities and support that comes along with having parents on board. Mr. Chance and I are all in, and students have finally realized what this new thing can be. I’m ready to see what happens when parents understand what’s at stake.”

“Scholarships are available right now,” said Hines. “Right down the road at Hinds Community College, they have a perennial national champion group in multiple games. The big three universities in our state (Mississippi State, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss) have Esports teams. This is the fastest-growing sport in the world. The industry is estimated to reach a worth of $2 billion by 2023. Pro teams will take notice of these rising high school stars.”

The fall season has wrapped up in every category of Esports. CHS qualified for the playoffs in every single game, and one individual even won the championship in their game: Michael Odie.

Clinton High School senior Michael Odie, who recently won first place in the Central Region in the Madden category and will advance to the PlayVS Cup National Championship.

Odie competed in the Madden 23 Solo Competition throughout the Esports season, playing different schools throughout the country in a best-of-three series. His regular season record was 7-1 in the overall series and 15-5 in indivdual matches, which made him the number one seed for the playoffs.

Odie continued to dominate throughout the playoffs and cruised to the championship. In the championship, he won the first game, lost the second game, and won the third game with a game-winning touchdown drive with 1:02 left in the 4th quarter.

“Michael Odie is as cool as the other side of a pillow,” said Hines. “If he gets down, he’s never out. His ability to read the defense and audible makes me think he’s a coach in the making, and he shuts down offenses. I’m so proud of him and the joy he had after the big win, which made the extra work and hours this semester worth it.”

Video games have been a part of Odie’s life for a very long time. He talked about how he first became interested in Madden.

“I have been playing Madden since I was seven years old. What made me interested in Madden was that my dad always played it. As a kid, I would sit on the couch beside him and watch him play.”

With his victory, Odie finished in first place in the Central Region in the Madden category, which earned him a spot to compete in the PlayVS Cup National Championship. He says he is looking forward to competing at the highest level on the national stage.

“My expectation for Nationals is to play the best I can possibly play, and I hope to finish first on the national stage,” said Odie.

One of the unique things about the Esports season is that it has two seasons: a fall and a spring season. This means that Odie has a chance to repeat and become the Madden champion once again.

“My expectations for the spring season are to be the number one seed in the regular season and repeat as champion.”

Esports is on the rise at CHS, and the Arrows look to be even better for the upcoming spring season.